Alabama Becomes Unanimous No. 1; WSU Makes a BIG Jump!

(AP) - Alabama is finally a unanimous No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll.

That probably took longer than it should have, but now all 61 voters are on board. Being unanimous No. 1 is notable but not rare. The Crimson Tide did it a couple times last season and four times in 2016.

Of course, you don't get anything special for being unanimous No. 1. A team is No. 1 or it isn't. Being unanimous doesn't make it No. 1est.

The latest poll also restored Clemson at No. 2, thanks in part to then-No. 2 Ohio State going down, a week after Georgia was No. 2 and lost. Heat check was calling for this move last week. How did the voters do with the rest of the rankings?

No. 1 Alabama (8-0)

Next: at No. 4 LSU, Nov. 3

The Tide has scored a touchdown on each of its opening drives this season. Those drives have averaged 4½ plays.

Heat check: Just right.

No. 2 Clemson (7-0)

Next: at Florida State.

North Carolina State challenged freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence to beat it with the pass. Lawrence did just that as coach Dabo Swinney did not hesitate to put the game on his young QB.

Heat check: Just right.

No. 3 Notre Dame (7-0)

Next: vs. Navy at San Diego.

The Fighting Irish prepare for the first of two West Coast trips in the final five games.

Heat check: Little too hot.

No. 4 LSU (7-1)

Next: vs. No. 1 Alabama.

The Tigers are 124th in the country in converting red-zone opportunities into touchdowns at 47.37 percent (18 for 38).

Heat check: Touch too cold.

No. 5 Michigan (7-1)

Next: vs. No. 17 Penn State, Nov. 3.

The last two starting quarterbacks to face the Wolverines' defense are 12 for 45 for 166 yards and one touchdown.

Heat check: Just right.

No. 6 Texas (6-1)

Next: at Oklahoma State.

The Longhorns' offensive line was one of 14 to make the midseason honor roll for the Joe Moore Award, given to the country's best offensive line. That's a big improvement for a group that was a major question mark coming into the season.

Heat check: Just right.

No. 7 Georgia (6-1)

Next: vs. No. 9 Florida at Jacksonville, Florida.

Will be interesting to see how QB Jake Fromm rebounds for a poor outing against LSU, and whether freshman Justin Fields gets some opportunities if Fromm doesn't.

Heat check: Too hot.

No. 8 Oklahoma (6-1)

Next: vs. Kansas State.

The Sooners' running game has been just fine since TB Rodney Anderson was lost to a knee injury, including a breakout game from redshirt freshman Kennedy Brooks against TCU.

Heat check: Too cold.

No. 9 Florida (6-1)

Next: vs. No. 7 Georgia at Jacksonville, Florida.

The Gators' defense has faced only 14 red-zone possessions, fewest in the SEC.

Heat check: Too hot.

No. 10 UCF (7-0)

Next: vs. Temple, Nov. 1.

The Knights gave QB McKenzie Milton a day off against East Carolina so he should have plenty of time to rest a sore ankle before a big AAC East game against Temple.

Heat check: Too cold.

No. 11 Ohio State (7-1)

Next: vs. Nebraska, Nov. 3.

Spectacular failures have become rather common for the Buckeyes in recent years, but it's important to keep in mind: Ohio State is likely to make the College Football Playoff if it can win out.

Heat check: Just right.

No. 12 Kentucky (6-1)

Next: at Missouri.

The Wildcats are the closest thing the SEC has to a service academy: They passed for 18 yards against Vanderbilt and are the only team in the conference averaging less than 20 passes per game (19.6).

Heat check: Just right.

No. 13 West Virginia (5-1)

Next: vs. Baylor, Thursday.

The Mountaineers are tied with Oklahoma in the Big 12 for the best touchdown percentage on red-zone trips at 75 percent (18 for 24).

Heat check: Too hot.

No. 14 Washington State (6-1)

Next: at No. 24 Stanford.

The Cougars are now the Pac-12's best playoff hope — which is not good at all for the Pac-12.

Heat check: Too hot.

No. 15 Washington (6-2)

Next: at California.

The Pac-12 North race is muddled with Stanford, Oregon, Washington and Washington State still very much in it. The Huskies look like the best of the bunch.

Heat check: Too cold.

No. 16 Texas A&M (5-2)

Next: at Mississippi State

It was usually right around this part of the season when things went bad for A&M under Kevin Sumlin. Let's see how Jimbo Fisher's Aggies handle the stretch run.

Heat check: Too cold.

No. 17 Penn State (5-2)

Next: vs. No. 18 Iowa.

QB Trace McSorley had his streak of games with a touchdown pass snapped at 34, but he has already set a career high for yards rushing with 554.

Heat check: A touch too hot.

No. 18 Iowa (6-1)

Next: at No. 17 Penn State.

The Hawkeyes have won three straight Big Ten games by at least 15 points for the first time since 2005.

Heat check: Too cold.

No. 19 Oregon (5-2)

Next: at Arizona.

The schedule sets up for a strong finish, conducive for nine, maybe even 10 victories. Can the Ducks take advantage?

Heat check: Too hot.

No. 20 Wisconsin (5-2)

Next: at Northwestern.

Badgers star Jonathan Taylor is the busiest back in the nation, averaging 24.29 carries per game.

Heat check: Just right.

No. 21 South Florida (7-0)

Next: at Houston.

The Bulls are unbeaten and you can't take that away from them, but they haven't been overly impressive against their weak schedule.

Heat check: Too cold.

No. 22 North Carolina State (5-1)

Next: at Syracuse.

OK, so the Wolfpack is nowhere near elite, but a 10-win season is very much in play.

Heat check: Too hot.

No. 23 Utah (5-2)

Next: at UCLA, Friday.

The Utes have scored at least 40 points in three straight games, and are the only thing resembling a really good team in the Pac-12 South.

Heat check: Too cold.

No. 24 Stanford (5-2)

Next: vs. Washington State.

This Stanford team is nothing like what we have become accustomed to under David Shaw, with no running game (3.07 yards per carry, last in the Pac-12) and not much defense (5.63 yards per play, 10th in the Pac-12).

Heat check: Too hot.

No. 25 Appalachian State

Next: at Georgia Southern, Thursday.

Heat check has been touting the Mountaineers for a few weeks and now they are ranked for the first time in program history.

Heat check: Just right.

Should be out: South Florida and Stanford. Should be in: Purdue and Fresno State.